Asst. Prof. Dilek Çelik’s Big Contribution to Bone Tissue Engineering

Assistant Professor of our Vocational School’s Autopsy Assistant Programme, Dilek Çelik, designed a new treatment method for bone tissue injuries.

Asst. Prof. Dilek Çelik designed a new treatment method for bone tissue injuries. The aim is to offer benefits to bone tissue engineering through this treatment method, having been designed for the first time in Turkey in the world’s scientific literature.

Çelik won a bronze medal in 5th İstanbul International Inventions Fair (ISIF’20) with her internationally patented project (WO/2020/022998), and she was awarded the second prize in 7th Innovation Competition organised by Başakşehir Living Lab.

Having expressed her satisfaction with the success of the project carried out under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Cem Bülent Üstündağ, Çelik gave valuable information about “Biomimetic Biomaterials and Methods of Production”.

What is “Biomimetic Biomaterial”?

Traditional treatment methods used for bone tissue injuries have many disadvantages. The studies in bone tissue engineering show great promise for eliminating these problems.

The study, of which the aim is to make contributions to bone tissue engineering, is based on the development of hydroxyapatite (HA) bioceramics by using inventive mould designs and hybrid moulding techniques, and imitating the form of bones.

Employing the medical and engineering sciences, a method of production including slip casting and freeze drying, a hybrid system, has been devised.  A bone model having the best biomimetic properties has been created due to developing a new technique and biomaterials through slip casting and freeze-drying.

Slip casting method enables high-density and reliable ceramic bodies, and used for imitating the compact bone layer. Slip casting method enables high-density and reliable ceramic bodies and used for imitating the compact bone layer. As three-dimensional, interconnected and well-defined pore structures can be produced through freeze-drying, the method has been used to imitate the trabecular layer.

This innovative hybrid method which has been applied for the first time in the world's literature is expected to offer benefits to the bone tissue engineering with its effectiveness in vitro and in vivo applications.

Unlike commonly known methods, it has suitable porous structures and high mechanical strength. 

An innovative biocompatible biomaterial which will be suitable for long-term use, improve the quality of life, and heal the injured tissue while being integrated with the bone tissue without leaving toxic by-products has been developed.

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